Managed services and outsourcing are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are actually quite different. Outsourcing is the practice of hiring an external company to help you address specific business needs, while managed services take a much more holistic approach to delivering excellence in technology services. With managed services, you establish an ongoing relationship with your managed service provider (MSP) and gain the expertise of specialists who excel in a wide range of capabilities. Managed service providers present contracts to customers as a way of detailing what services are included.
These contracts list start and end dates for services, and can include mobile device management, software as a service, platform as a service, help desk, and backup recovery. Most MSPs promote all-inclusive packages with unlimited IT resources while contracted, including day-to-day network management. Managed service providers are more than just outsourcing with a sweeter name. While they are external service providers, the scope of work of MSPs is very different from that of simple outsourcing.
If an MSP has successful partnerships with other companies like yours, it means that they understand the unique needs and challenges of your industry and that they are likely familiar with industry-specific software. One of the main benefits of managed IT consulting is that these services generally take a proactive approach, rather than a reactive approach. A managed service provider (MSP) is a subcontractor contracted to remotely manage or deliver IT services, such as network, application, infrastructure, or security management, to a client company by assuming full responsibility for those services and proactively determining which technologies and services are need to meet customer needs. Managed Services offer a long-term partnership with a wide range of services, helping to minimize downtime with personalized support that adapts to the needs of your infrastructure.
With the help of trained experts and high-level resources, Managed Services can bring new knowledge and proactive attention to your IT configuration. Not only can an MSP take care of the day-to-day management of your IT ecosystem, but they can also optimally protect and proactively manage your technology environment, while suggesting ways and means to improve efficiency, reduce the likelihood of problems, and drive your business to new heights. When looking for an excellent managed services company, ask for referrals from others in your industry or feel free to ask for references and testimonials from the company itself. While outsourcing may be the traditional approach to getting help, in the modern world managed services are gaining ground.
